Sowore Blasts Tinubu’s Defence Minister Over Comment On 2027 Polls

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the credibility of the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, over his promise that security agencies would remain neutral during the 2027 general elections.

Sowore particularly accused the minister of working in the favour of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the polls.

He questioned whether he could guarantee impartiality in the electoral process. He also criticised Musa’s record as a former military chief.

The human rights activist made the remarks in a post on his verified X account in response to the minister’s assurance following a meeting with Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.

Sowore described Musa as a “loudmouth” and accused him of failing to fulfil his responsibilities while serving in the Nigerian Army.

“This retired loudmouth, Christopher Musa, who failed in his duties as a serving General in the Nigerian Army @HQNigerianArmy, is now here promising free and fair elections in 2027, when he is, in fact, a partisan hack for Tinubu @officialABAT,” he wrote.

The AAC presidential candidate added, “Who exactly do these guys think they are fooling?”

Politics Nigeria reports that Musa had assured Nigerians that security agencies would conduct themselves professionally and remain impartial during the 2027 elections.

The minister gave the assurance while speaking to journalists after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja..
He was accompanied by heads of security agencies at the meeting, which he said was convened to brief the President on the country’s security situation ahead of the elections.

According to Musa, Tinubu had expressed his desire for the forthcoming elections to be free, fair and credible.

He said security agencies would work to ensure that voters could participate in the electoral process without fear of intimidation or threats to their safety.

“We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote, and so we want to assure Nigerians that we are committed,” the minister said.

“We are determined to ensure that we provide safety and security for all Nigerians. Everyone should come out and vote, vote for whoever they want.”

Musa also urged political parties to trust the security agencies, insisting that personnel deployed for the elections would not intimidate voters or political actors.

“And it’s important for all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral,” he said.

“So they have nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, and that nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons. We are all professionals. We are fully committed.”

The minister also disclosed that Tinubu would soon inaugurate a set of new aircraft, describing the development as an indication that security remained a priority for the administration.

He also said the President intended to extend the new salary structure to police officers, other paramilitary personnel and pensioners.

Musa urged Nigerians to support security agencies, stressing that maintaining peace and safety required the cooperation of everyone.